Extensible mold-flask.



J. W. HOEFERS. EXTENSIBLE MOLD FLASK.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 9. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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JOHN lVILlAM IIOEFERS,'OF CHICAGO, lliLlNOlS.

EXTENSlBLE MOLD-FLASK.

SPECIFICATQCON forming part of'Letters Patent N 0. 726,290, dated April 28,1903.

Application filed February 9, 1903. Serial No. 142.517. (No model.l i

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Be it known that I, JOHN WILIAMUonF ERS, a citizen ofthe United States, residiim at Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Extensible Mold-Flasks, of which the following is a specification. l

This invention relates to molders flasks, and has particular reference to iiasks which may be increased or diminished in dimensions to meet varying requirements in a foundry, especially where a large variety of casks are made.

In a general foundry, where the work is not confined to any particular kind of castings, or even in a specialty foundry, Where lnany different parts are made, a large variety of molding-flasks must be kept on hand, which take up a great deal of room, entail considerable loss of time in their assortment and handling, and even then the ordinary and adequate supply of agiven size ofY flask at times fails to meet special demands.

The object of my invention, therefore, is to provide an expansilole or extensible Hask which may be quickly reduced or increased in size to meet special requirements When-a regular given size is exhausted.

Another object of the invention is to effect a great savingr in the number of flasks re quired to be kept regularly on hand, thereby not only saving the first cost of a large number of reserve flasks, but/effecting a material saving of room or space. The latter is a very important item where vthe available space is limited or ground rentals high.

Another object of the invention is to avoid loss of time, not only in hunting up a given size of flask, but to obviate the necessity of delaying the casting of certain molds for the release of suitable flasks already in use and tb save the time often lost by one melder being obliged to wait for another to get through with his laskbefore he can undertakea oertain and perhaps immediately-pressing job. The number of different sizes of flasks kept on hand in foundries usually ranges from twenty-five to one hundred, and then, of course, the quantity of each size must loe limited in number. As probably less than one-third of these flasks are in use at any one time, my invention will make it possible to Atwo-tl`1irds of the numherof sizes of tlasks re quired to be kept on hand.

Generally speaking, my invention consists in a flask having its ends and sides made 'in two parts, which maybe separated for the insertion of a suitable'extension-piece.

The'invention further consists in a flask having each of its sides and ends divided "and the divided portions mortised into each other, so as to provide a universal joint for one or more eXtension-pieces,and means for securing together said sides and ends with or without said extension-pieces.

The invention further consists in a novel combination male and female extensiolrpiece or joint; and the invention further consists in the various details of construction and combinations of parts, all as hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying dra\v ings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a molding-flask embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a detail illustrating one part ot` the coupling or joint member of the separable adjacent ends of the fiask proper. Fig. Bis a perspective view of the extension-piece, the respective ends of which are made to lit the parts shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Fig. Ll isa detail illustrating the oppositejoint member adapt ed to iit the part shown in Fig. 2 and one end of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a reduced top plan view of the flask. Y

I-n the drawings, 2 represents the bottom board provided with cleats 3 of the usual, dc sign, upon which is placed the flask l, einn IOO bodying my invention. The flask4 comprises the corner-pieces 4Q the long side pieces 5 5, the short side pieces 5 5', and the ends 6 6, all in duplicate for the top and bottom or copeand drag portions. The adjacent ends of the sides 5 5 and ends of end pieces 6 are provided, respectively, with the female joint member 7, Fig. 4, and male joint member 7, Fig. 2, which fit each other and the respective ends of the extension-piece illustrated in Fig. 3, and which is provided with fittings 7". and 7"', which are substantially similar to the fittings 7 7. The joint members 7 and 7 have tenons orlugs 8 and the pieces 5 5', and end pieces 6.

members 7 and 7 mortises or recesses 9 for said lugs or tenons. The members above referred to have apertures 10, 16, and 10', the last named being threaded for the connecting-rods 11, with which it has a screw engagement. The rods ll have heads 1l,\adapted for wrench engagement. As the joint members are preferably castings, I prefer to provide the female member 7 with bosses 12, which constitute threaded nuts or reinforcements for the threaded apertures 10'. The joint members 7 7 7" 7 are also provided with small screw or nail holes 13 for screws 13', which enable their being secured to the respective ends of the extension-piece 14, side The extensionpiece 14- is adapted to fill the gap 14' (shown iu Fig. l) between the ends of side pieces 5 and 5/, and. exactly similar, but preferably narrower, extension-pieces are provided to fill in the spaces shown between ends of endpicces 6 and the corner-pieces 4. The adjacent ends of side pieces 5 5 and end and corner pieces 6 and 4' are represented bythe respective ends of the extension-.piece 14, (illustrated in Fig. 3,) except that in the side pieces 5 and the ends 6 there are no threaded holes 10 or side apertures 16. It will therefore be noted that with a supply of not more than one or two sizes of such extension-pieces 14 a given size of flask may be changed in size within quite a large range of adjustment. These extension-pieces are provided with channels or grooves 16 in their one side for the rods 1l. By providing these channels in the side of the extension-piece the latter may be inserted or removed without removing the rods 11. In the side pieces 5 are provided holes 17, (shown by dottedlines,) at the outer ends of which are the bosses 12. Corresponding holes are provided in the ends 6, with the exception that in the latter the holes extend through and the rods 1l have no threaded engagement therein, but move freely therethrough, the threaded engagement for rods 11 being provided for in the joint members in the corner-pieces 4.

In Fig. 1 I have shown a gap between the end piece 6 and both the corner-pieces 4Q whereby provision is made for extension both ways from the end pieces 6, which arrangement I prefer on account of the pin 18 and socket 19, which I have provided in the upper and lower end piece 6, respectively. The object of this double extension is to keep the pin-and-socket interlocking means central, so as to keep the flask centrally balancedon this connection in order that on a straight lift the upper part of the flask will not tip with relation to the lower part.

In the foregoing description I have made no separate reference to the top and bottom parts of the flask, or what is known as the cope and drag, respectively, this by reason of the fact that these parts are exactly alike, with the exception that in the Fig. 1 illustration I have shown a T-shaped recess 20 to provide for extension of the flask as to depth, also by means of bolts 21 and threaded plates or nuts 22, which are adapted to fasten a strip 23 upon cach of the sides and ends of the flask. While I have shown this recess by way of a simple illustration of the idea only in the cope portion, it is obvious that the drag may also be recessed for similar extension downwardly, and preferably so when the parts of the flask are made in large quantities, where it is desirable that said parts shall be alike and interchangeable.

At one corner of the flask I preferably provide clasps, consisting of.' hooks 24 and pinplates 25 and hinges 26 at the diagonally opposite corner of the flask, (see Fig. 5,) where by the flask may be opened and handled exactly as the ordinary snap-ilask.7

As any of my ilasks can be almost if not quite doubled in dimensions with the use of a single set of rods 1l, it is apparent that it will perform the service of at least three fixed sizes, with the additional advantage of being always available for either of said sizes without the loss of time incident to searches for proper sizes. As the extension-pieces are interchangeable, a large number of them may be stacked up in a small space where available to all the workmen in a foundry. The usual metal-edge straps may be provided, as Well as fittings, made of iron or brass, and, with the exception of rods ll, cast or otherwise. It is obvious that the upsets may be matched in the same manner as lthe extension-pieces 14. It is also obvious that the end pieces 6 need not be extended at both ends, as shown, and that they may be added to exactly as the sides 5, and it is further obvious that numerous modifications may be made in the minor details of my invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit thereof, and I therefore do not confine my invention to the specic construction herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. An extension-ask, having divided side portions and independent extension-pieces fitting in between and flush with the sides of said side portions, and means common to all of said portions and pieces for securing same together.

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and ends composed of a pluralit;7 of separate jointed seetione, eaeh of the adjacent ends of the individual Side or end Section being provided with a joint memberadapted to tinto one of ihe joint members of one of the other seotione, a threaded Connecting-rod for the sections of each side or end having threaded engagement with one section of said side or end and adapted to clamp together the seetions of said side or end and including Within said clamp the end of an adjacent side orend section, and separate means for locking the opposite adjacent side orend upon the opposite end of said side or end sections.

22. A Inolders ask having eaeh of its sides and ends Composed of a plurality of jointed -and apertured sections, each of the adjacent ends of each individual Side or end being provided, respectively, with a male and a :female joint member interlocking Said adjacent ende and said joint members being adapted to i'it into or interlock with the joint members of other sections of said sides or ends, a thread ed Clamping-rod for each side and end, Said rod being provided with a turninghead and having threaded engagement with one seetion of said side or end and adapted to clamp between its said head and threaded section one or more separate Sections of one said side or end together with a section of another adjaeent side or end and means for interlocking the opposite side or end with the other adjacent side or end.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two witnesses, this 4th day ot' February, 1903.

JOHN WITAM IIOEFERS.

MVitnesses:

Roma KLo'rz, MAX BAUM. 

